Leading up to every Olympiad, summer or winter, the whole world gets excited and catches that Olympic fever. Then, sometime following the opening ceremony many people sour of the big event and the only thing they see is the negativity.

They bash the sports, the athletes and call the games pointless and a waste of money.

Maybe they become sour because the opening ceremony is longer and more boring to watch than a Major League Baseball game between the Twins and the Kansas City Royals. Or, maybe they are just crabby people. Who knows?

I know that I let those people bring me down. I let them get in my head and make me think that the Olympics really are worthless.

They ask me, “why should you care about swimming, gymnastics and track and field every four years?”

But days like Thursday, when the USA dominated swimming and gymnastics, is when I realize how much I enjoy the Olympics.

The truth is, I don't care about those sports. If Michael Phelps never wins another gold medal it won't affect my life one iota. If Gabby Douglas never does another floor routine I won't lose one wink of sleep.

Forget calling Michael Phelps the greatest Olympian ever; he may be one of the greatest athletes ever. It's impossible not to like Gabby Douglas. Her smile and personality are unstoppable. Missy Franklin swims on her high school's swimming team. How cool is that?

For some reason, some people aren't Michael Phelps fans. Whatever, I don't get it. He seems like a halfway decent person. He singlehandedly started a gold rush and has more medals than anyone in Olympic history. Decades from now, my grandchildren will know the name of Michael Phelps.

If it wasn't for the Olympics, Michael Phelps wouldn't tell you to eat at Subway. You would have no idea who he is.

The same goes with Gabby Douglas, Missy Franklin, Ryan Lochte and all the other great athletes representing USA in the Olympics.

There is something extremely heartwarming when you see that American flag raised higher than the Russian flag and the camera pans down to show Gabby Douglas with her hand on her heart as the national anthem plays.

It all comes down to one simple thing, the United States of America is the greatest country ever.

That's it, that's what makes the Olympics enjoyable.

If the USA wasn't in the Olympics nobody would pay attention to it.

The Olympics gives a country pride and honor like few things can.

Quick, what's the greatest sports moment ever?

Page 2 of 2 - If you didn't say the 1980 USA men's hockey team winning the gold you need your head examined.

Unfortunately, I wasn't alive in 1980 but 32 years later it may as well have happened yesterday. The USA took so much pride in that moment and it still takes pride in it.